2nd Family - Eldersburg

Pros

• The providers were kind and consistent.
• They were always willing to participate in the activities the husband wanted to do on each visit.
• The scheduling flexibility and the app were easy to use and met their daily needs without fail.
• The overall experience was positive and caring.
• Camille provided outstanding care, taking extra time to understand dementia and engage in meaningful activities.
• Skyler Skidmore demonstrated dedication and compassion, staying by the patient's side and checking in afterward.
• The staff were tremendously helpful and responsive from beginning to end.
• The caregivers were polite, knowledgeable, and caring, giving families peace of mind.
• The caregivers became like family and offered warmth, consistency, and reliable support.
• The office and care coordinators were friendly, patient, and easy to communicate with.
• The care team was punctual and professional, consistently doing a great job.
• 2nd Family feels like a blessing and is highly recommended for in-home care.

Cons

• The company was accused of hiring inexperienced and untrustworthy caregivers and of sending the wrong address, with intrusions captured on camera.
• Some caregivers were described as too young and lacking the life experience needed to care for a bedridden elderly man.
• One reviewer said they could give less than a star, calling the company a joke and alleging caregivers are paid minimum wage to pocket the rest.
• A caregiver was accused of sleeping on the job, and another of ignoring the patient and spending time on her phone.
• There were complaints about late notices, schedule changes, and poor time management.
• The staffing department was criticized for not informing clients about lateness or substitutions and for lacking certain caregiver skills.
• The owners were labeled greedy and mean-hearted, with claims of overall untrustworthiness.
• Some reviews noted they were forced to commit to more hours than they needed.

Review

2nd Family in Eldersburg is best suited for families that want deeply personal, flexible, in-home elder care with a strong emphasis on compassionate caregiving and active daily engagement for a loved one who may have dementia or mobility challenges. The model works best when the goal is aging in place, with reliable CNA support, timely communication, and a care team that can respond quickly to changing needs. Families who prize warmth, responsiveness, and a "second family" ethos will find this provider aligns with those expectations, often transforming a stressful caregiving period into something more manageable and humane.

Those who should consider alternatives are families seeking ironclad scheduling guarantees, rigidly fixed caregiver assignments, or a transparent, straightforward pricing structure without surprises. The reviews show a wide range in how consistently caregivers are deployed and how smoothly schedules are managed. Some families report late arrivals or frequent changes in personnel, along with occasional communication gaps. For households needing a single caregiver for every shift or wanting a strict, predictable routine from day one, a different agency or an in-facility option may offer stronger reassurance.

The strongest advantages center on the caregiving warmth and the responsive administrative backbone. Reviewers repeatedly praise caregivers for kindness, patience, and a genuine willingness to tailor activities to the loved one's preferences. Notable examples highlight staff who navigated dementia with creativity - reading aloud, singing, looking at photo albums, and facilitating meaningful moments. The back-office team, including scheduling coordinators and RNs, earns high marks for rapid onboarding, acceptance of changes in care needs, and ongoing availability to answer questions. The existence of a user-friendly app and a clear care portal further reduces friction in coordinating shifts and communicating progress, which matters when family members cannot be present in person.

Yet the service is not without friction points. A recurring theme is the variability of the caregiving staff, with compliments reserved for those who click with the client and constructive critiques when mismatches occur. Scheduling can produce late notices, and some reviews call for better time management and more consistent staffing to minimize downtime or unproductive periods between tasks. A few families mention the desire for more male caregivers or for more experienced life experience in some aides. A minority voices concerns about upfront cost explanations or the need for more precise matching to specific care needs. Taken together, these gaps are real but generally manageable with clear expectations and proactive coordination.

The pros offset the cons in meaningful, practice-ready ways. The core assets - the human connection, the ability to secure 24/7 CNA support when needed, and the quick mobilization of a care team - tend to deliver far more lift than the occasional scheduling hiccup. Families routinely report restored normalcy, reduced caregiver burden, and genuine peace of mind knowing a trusted team is watching over a loved one. The 4.7 rating from dozens of reviews reflects sustained satisfaction with the overall experience, not just isolated incidents. For families navigating transitions from hospital or rehab back home, the combination of RN oversight, responsive care coordination, and a broad suite of support services often proves decisive in maintaining safety and quality of life at home.

In the end, a practical decision hinges on care goals and tolerance for scheduling variability. If the priority is heartfelt, adaptable, at-home care with a true sense of "family" around the client, 2nd Family stands out as a compelling choice in Eldersburg. If the need is for unwavering predictability, perfectly uniform staffing, and crystal-clear embedded costs from the outset, it is prudent to compare alternatives - including other home-care providers or shifting to an assisted living setting where staffing patterns and costs are more standardized. A disciplined approach - start with a clear care plan, request a dedicated coordinator, and pilot a defined schedule with explicit expectations - will maximize the likelihood of a successful, lasting arrangement that honors both the loved one's dignity and the family's needs.

This part of Eldersburg, Maryland offers a variety of amenities that cater to seniors looking for convenience and entertainment. With several cafes such as Starbucks and French Twist Cafe nearby, residents can enjoy leisurely outings with friends or family. The proximity of restaurants like Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Chick-Fil-A provides easy access to dining options. For healthcare needs, there are multiple physician offices including Northwest Hospital Primary & Specialty Care Center within a short distance. Nearby pharmacies like Walgreens and Martin's Pharmacy offer convenient prescription services. Residents can also enjoy outdoor activities at parks such as Freedom Park and Piney Run Park. Additionally, the area is home to the AMC Owings Mills 17 theater for those who enjoy movies or entertainment outings. Overall, this part of Eldersburg offers a mix of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• French Twist Cafe (3 miles)
• Panera Bread (9 miles)
• Tous Les Jours (10.2 miles)
• Starbucks (10.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (0.2 miles)
• Seafood Legend (0.3 miles)
• Burger King (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.8 miles)
• Basta Pasta (2.2 miles)
• E W Beck's Pub (2.9 miles)

Physicians

• Northwest Hospital Primary & Specialty Care Center (0.3 miles)
• Family Medical Associates (0.9 miles)
• Clinical Associates (7.3 miles)
• Katzen Eye Group (7.3 miles)
• Koman Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (7.5 miles)
• The Physicians Pavilion At Owings Mills (8.4 miles)
• Richard J Kuntz (8.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Martin's Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (7.7 miles)
• Walgreens (7.8 miles)
• Wegmans (8.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.9 miles)
• Jason Pharmaceuticals (9.3 miles)

Parks

• Freedom Park (2.4 miles)
• Piney Run Park (2.9 miles)
• Northwest Regional Park (5.9 miles)
• Mayeski Park (6.4 miles)
• David Force Park (8.5 miles)
• Patapsco Valley State Park (10.8 miles)
• Landon C Burns Park (10.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Bon Secours Health System (5.5 miles)
• Westminster Nursing and Convalescent Center (10 miles)
• Lifebridge Health (10.6 miles)
• Carroll Hospital Knit Building (11.1 miles)
• X- Ray Room (11.1 miles)
• Carroll Hospital Center (11.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Greater Baltimore Temple (6.7 miles)
• Bridgeway Community Church - Owings Mills/Reisterstown Campus (7.1 miles)
• Trinity Lutheran Church (7.9 miles)
• Mt Airy Bible Church (9.1 miles)
• Crossroads Community Church (11 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Owings Mills 17 (7.8 miles)